Power reconnection continues across Douglas Shire



Power reconnection continues across Douglas region

Monday April 14 2014, 8:35 am

Ergon workers are battling to restore power throughout the Douglas Shire with more than 1500 homes and businesses still without electricity.

More than 3000 homes in the region lost power over the weekend with Tropical Cyclone Ita wreaking havoc throughout far north Queensland.  

Yesterday evening around 1500 properties in Mossman were reconnected but the Daintree, Wonga Beach, Stewart Creek, Oak Beach and Mt Molloy have yet to regain power.

Ergon spokesman Mark Timmerman said ten extra crews have been deployed to the region with more to follow in the coming days. 

"We've been moving in extra staff from Cairns and further south to help with restoration," he said. 

"There will also be reinforcement from the Tablelands to bolster our Mossman depot arriving at some stage soon. 

"Our issue is there isn't access in a lot of these areas."

Upper Daintree Road remains closed with power lines down and fences strewn across the road.

Authorities said one of Ergon's main priorities will be restoring power at Coral Sea Drive on Monday to ensure the water treatment plant is fully operational. 

Douglas Shire Council is aiming to re-open Noah Creek bridge early in the week with a structural engineer to assess the damage on Monday.

The bridge was hit by a tree over the weekend.  

The Daintree Ferry will not be running today after sustaining significant damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Ita. 

Wet week but clear skies ahead

The Bureau of Meteorology said the highest rainfall records in the region were recorded near Daintree Village with Bairds notching up 486 millimetres and China Camp 321 millimetres over the last seven days.

Daintree Village had 260 millimetres, Mossman South 187, Low Isles 155 and Port Douglas 129.

A relatively dry start to the weekend is forecast with only light showers expected.

"For Port Douglas itself we're expecting just a shower or two and lots of fine breaks over the next few days," duty forecaster Greg Connor said. 

"However the winds will pick up as the next ridge starts to influence our coast from Tuesday."